NAIS Working Groups forming in Oregon

The Oregon Small Holders Alliance is looking for people to contribute to Working Groups that are being formed to provide input to our Legislators in Salem, Oregon, when they convene in 2007. Working Groups will review the National Animal ID System (NAIS) and assess it's potential impact on Oregon homesteaders, private livestock animal owners, small business owners involved in direct to consumer sales of food animals/products, and those involved in the small agriculture infrastructure industries such as veterinary, feed, boarding, training, fariery, etc.

There will also be a working group for ancillary industries such as the real estate and rental properties industries. All public comment is welcome, irreguardless of whether you wish to be a part of a Working Group or not. NOTE - These Working Groups are not being formed by USDA, ODA, or any other public agency, they are being formed privately. They will exist for the sole purpose of providing information to the Oregon State Legislature, and the general public about the NAIS, and it's potential effects on private individuals and small businesses involved with livestock animals.

Working Group members will not be compensated for their efforts, this is a completely volunteer project. However, printed materials will be provided free of charge as needed, to enable the working groups to call for public comment, etc.

Working Group members will be supplied with technical documents released by USDA, as well as documents from the procedings of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) 2006 annual meeting, which outlined various USDA species Working Groups' progress to date in regard to the NAIS standards. Working Group members will also be provided with documentation detailing the international roots of the NAIS, such as the trade agreements with the WTO, and standards from the OIE, FAO, Codex, etc.

Those wishing to be on a Working Group should have access to the internet in order to access technical information, file reports, and participate in online meetings. If you would like to participate in a Working Group, but do not have internet access, we will try to work something out to enable you to contribute to online meetings and to receive the output of those meetings. Working Group contact information will be posted on the OSHA website in order for the public to submit comment to each Working Group. Working Groups will be expected to submit regular progress reports and coordinate areas of study with each other.

If you would like to be a part of a Working Group, or would like to submit your comments, please contact Joanne Rigutto - loiosh@molalla.net - please put OSHA NAIS Working Groups in the subject field of your email, or call 6PM - 9PM Monday thru Friday, or 7AM - 9PM Saturday & Sunday, Pacific Time, at (503) 519-9385 Website

The Oregon Small Holders Alliance is a private entity created to provide the public with information on existing and proposed rules and regulations that can or will affect the operation of private residences and small businesses involved in animal agriculture in Oregon.

Joanne Rigutto